We have today to live … tomorrow is no guarantee. We tend to hold very tightly to this life we have been given, and rightly so. Each day we have is a gift of God and should be cherished. However, the Bible tells us … “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the places thereof shall know it no more” (Psalm 103:15-16). The reality is that no matter how long our life lasts, it is a very brief time in relation to eternity. Regardless of how healthy we are today, it does not take much to remind us how frail this life really is that we have been given.
The thought that struck me today followed these verses. “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children” (Psalm 103:17). I had to rejoice to think that even though my life is frail and uncertain, the mercy of God will endure from everlasting (past) to everlasting (future). Regardless of how many years are given to me here on the earth, the mercy of God guarantees my eternal life in Heaven with God! I am blessed because of my relationship with the Father of all mercies … God! I’m glad that I know Him as my Father!
Understanding that mercy is from everlasting to everlasting, ought to change the way I treat others who have wronged me. If God has no shortage of mercy, then it stands to reason that His children (called by His name), should also have no shortage of mercy. If there is someone you have been holding hostage because of some past hurt they have caused you; today is a good day to free yourself, and them through the mercy God has given you. Yes, I said that you will free yourself. If you are holding a grudge, or a past offense over someone else, you have become a prisoner to your own vengeance.
Just remember today, as you struggle and strain in the body you have been given, that this is not the end. Because of the mercy of God that lasts from everlasting to everlasting, there will never be a shortage of the mercy of God. Today is a good day to practice showing mercy to others around you. In doing that, you will be demonstrating that you have an active, on-going relationship with God Who is full of mercy! When we choose to ignore mercy, and focus on vengeance, we are hiding the mercy of our God to those who may need to see it the most. Our lives are short, but God’s mercy is everlasting! The time we have here on the earth is temporary, but the mercy of God is everlasting. Show someone that mercy today!